NFL safety: Players like can't have it both ways

Baltimore Ravens superstar linebacker Ray Lewis uses a banned performance-enhancing drug. That's according to a recent report by Deadspin and a 2011 report by Yahoo, both of which have recordings of Lewis discussing the substance and his receipt of it.

Nobody really seems to care, though, because the drug -- while being banned by the NFL -- is not among the substances the league tests for. 

It's a ridiculous situation that demonstrates just how out of touch with reality the league and players are.

Ex-players have taken to suing the league for putting them in dangerous situations. And while the league can and should do more, its hands are effectively tied ... by the players.

Here's where the players lose the safety argument:

The reason there are so many injuries is because players stopped being human with the introduction of PEDs and instead have turned into armored missiles. Players like Lewis want to be the biggest, strongest, fastest, baddest player on the field so they can make money and lengthen their post-football careers.

But if the NFL suggests testing for PEDs and punishing players for using them, the players union wouldn't think of allowing it.

If the players are not going to allow the league to regulate this key aspect of player safety, how can anyone take them seriously when it comes to complaints about concussions?

That's not to say the league is doing everything it can. Just as with Major League Baseball, there is almost certainly some desire from owners and management to turn a blind eye to PEDs because they contribute to a rise in revenue.

But MLB doesn't have the safety-related lawsuits that the NFL is dealing with. 

For the good of the today's players and tomorrow's, much stricter PED testing needs to begin in the NFL.